I awoke slowly, reluctant to escape the dream I had been having. But the feel of warm caresses traveling my bared legs stirred me from unconsciousness alluringly. Despite the coaxing touch on my skin, I held onto what sleep I could stubbornly.

The caresses continued, rising over my waist and under my shirt before traveling luxuriously over my stomach. I sighed contently as the familiar addicting glow followed the touch. And then I shifted, moving myself against a hardened body until I was comfortably settled in warm arms. I lifted my face to where I knew his would be.

"Levi," I whispered with a small smile before my eyes fluttered open.

"And here I was, thinking you'd mistaken me for Miles," Levi responded with obvious satisfaction. He had messed with his own hair as if purposely attempting to look more like his brother. They did look strikingly identical, but it was as if they were two different flames lit in front of me; one a warm orange glow and the other a vibrant blue. It was impossible to mistake one for the other.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, pleased just to see him no matter his reasoning. I was startled when he abruptly twisted over me, pinning me to the bed lithely under him. My body ached from Miles' touch, but it still sang with joy under Levi's grip.

"I came to see you, darling," He answered smoothly before leaning forward to brush his lips over mine softly. I felt weightless in his embrace and breathless within his kiss. His warm hand moved further up my stomach and brushed one of the many bites that Miles had given me, making him pause. "Hmmm..."

I squirmed under Levi's suddenly dark look as he began to inspect me. He glanced at my wrists pinned above me against the bed where bites were already healing on my skin. And then his eyes moved over my neck before his hand traveled low between my legs. I inhaled sharply as his touch found more evidence of bites on my inner thigh. Levi narrowed his eyes.

"He's been torturing you," Levi snarled, suddenly tense with pulsing anger. I felt a wave of heat paint my skin red as I found myself caught, knowing I'd have to admit the truth or else cause more fights between my men. I shook my head quickly.

"I... I," I struggled to answer behind my embarrassment, "I like it... to... to be... bitten." I turned away to avoid seeing Levi's reaction. I felt him hesitate before he relaxed against me, a clear sign of relief.

"Do you, now?" He purred, leaning forward until I felt his hot breath and then sharp fangs teasing an untouched area on my throat. I gasped with delight.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Miles' voice rang out sharply, causing Levi to pull away only partially to glance at him. I tried to lean my head back to look at Miles as well, but he was just out of sight.

"I was playing 'Parent Trap', but instead of switching places to get our parents back together, I was mostly just stealing Katia from you," Levi smiled with amusement before looking back down to me, still pinned under his grip. "I have another game to play. It's called: How many times can I kiss Katia before Miles can pull me off of her?"

I yelped as Levi lunged forward, kissing and nibbling on my flesh exaggeratingly. I couldn't help a tumble of laughter from escaping me just before Miles tackled him from the bed. I sat up swiftly as they fell over onto the floor roughly. For a moment, fear startled me as I recalled Levi and Theo fighting. But my fear was eased away when Miles wrapped his arm around Levi's shoulders, digging his knuckles into his hair roughly.

"Say uncle, you idiot," Miles growled with a smirk.

"Do you mean dead Uncle Richard? Or 'Uncle Leo', the creepy pedo?" Levi's voice strained under Miles' grip, but he didn't seem upset. Miles gave a short laugh of entertainment towards the inside joke.

The scene was interrupted by three sharp knocks on the door before it was opened, catching everyone's attention. I looked over my shoulder, pulling my legs under me almost shyly as Jax peered into the room with a stern expression. He looked from my form to Miles and Levi's without amusement before addressing them.

"Seb wants to see us all immediately," Jax informed them, his voice deep and intense. His aura commanded such respect that I began to move to obey his request directly, but paused when he shook his head towards me subtly. His features softened momentarily as I caught his attention, "Not you, Katia."

I frowned at the fact. It had been days since I'd been confined to Miles' room, not that I had found my time with him unpleasant. But I was being deprived the company of others I also loved; Oliver and Theo among them. Levi had been the first one to visit me besides Miles since the rescue mission. I wanted to speak to Sebastian, to apologize for disobeying him, and to explain the reasons for my actions; no matter if he was or wasn't upset. It just felt like the right thing to do.

Levi had tensed at Jax's words, but quickly moved to join him. Miles followed Levi, though he seemed less than concerned. When I was left to myself, I sighed loudly and collapsed on the surface of the bed with a heart twisted in turmoil.

The time following their absence was deafening. I tried to busy myself. I bathed even though I had already showered. I styled my hair in several different fashions. I twisted through the bedroom on my toes, halfheartedly imagining I was a ballerina. I snooped in places I knew held nothing interesting in them. Miles never decorated the place or added any items that had sentimental value to him. I had a feeling if I wasn't here, he wouldn't bother even using the room unless he had to.

I found myself sitting on the floor picking at my leg absently when I abruptly felt a familiar buzz of warmth prickling in the air around me. I immediately looked to find Jax had returned and stood quietly within the room. I smiled just for a moment before it fell under his fierce eyes.

"What is it?" I asked uncertainly.

"Seb wants to see you, now." The statement was innocent enough by itself and would have normally pleased me. I liked seeing Sebastian and I had wanted to see him for quite a while now. But something in the way Jax spoke told me it wasn't something to be joyful about. I turned attention to my hands which were picking at my outfit nervously.

"Am I in trouble?" I asked quietly. It would explain why I was not being allowed to leave the room, even for minor things like obtaining food for myself. I was given orders. I was supposed to break the barrier. I was supposed to leave if I spotted anyone. I wasn't very good at listening.

"All actions have consequences," was all Jax said before he turned to leave, pausing only to wait for me expectantly. I pushed myself to my feet and followed him obediently. I twisted my hands together, one over the other on repeat, as I trailed after him anxiously. And then I nearly ran into him when he abruptly paused. He spoke again without looking at me.

"Take care in what you choose to do, Katia," He said slowly, as if his own words were forbidden. The warning was familiar, being that it was one of the first things he had advised me to do when I'd first met him. I watched his back curiously, recalling Miles' slip of information. Jax's silent casting had led to his vampirism. Perhaps he hadn't always been so careful.

Before I could ask him what he meant, he continued to lead me to Sebastian. He turned a corner and then reached for double doors, opening the one on the right. I followed him into the room, my eyes immediately scanning over what appeared to be more of an office than anything else. Once my gaze landed on those within the room my heartbeat rose nervously as heat prickled energetically along my skin.

They were all here. For a moment, I could only stand stunned as I stepped among their presence. It was like a pulse of magnetism, only amplified the closer I moved to them. Initially, it was overwhelming, but as I adapted to the feeling, I noticed a separate, darker atmosphere clouded the room.

In the center of the office was a desk, crowded with files among files. To the right of the desk were Levi, Miles, and Oliver. Levi was playing with the corner of the desk absently, eyeing the books nearby with mild interest. Miles was collapsed in a chair, his head propped on his hand boredly and his attention on Oliver. Oliver was the furthest away from the rest, leaning against the wall and looking off to the opposite direction as if he'd prefer to be anywhere else than where he was now.

To the left of the desk was Theo, who watched me only until I turned to look at him. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes, deciding to pretend to sleep as if I wouldn't take notice to the antic by now. Jax moved to stand stiffly beside Theo.

When I found no comfort to be found in the others, I glanced down momentarily in order to gather my courage. And then I looked up slowly to the man standing behind the desk. Sebastian appeared different. He caught my eyes purposely, holding my gaze with a look so intense that I nearly stepped away. I had to recall that same face promising to protect me in order to not do so.

"Sebas-" I began, but he cut me off sharply.

"Do not speak until asked to," He immediately ordered. His words were like a knife, small and sharp, but painful. I winced in response, but he only tensed further. I considered biting back, but Jax's words of warning were echoing in my mind wisely. I bit my own tongue instead.

"I should begin by stating I put my family above all else, as you should know," Sebastian began sternly, "I respect their words above all others and I aim to protect them above anyone else. It's my top interest for us to survive the witch covens, their hunters, and anyone else who desires our end."

I felt as though my heart had begun racing so fast that it was actually moving impossibly slow. My mind devoured his words and deciphered his meaning. It was obvious. I was a threat to his family. Those that wished to obtain me would target those around me who were protecting me. Perhaps, because of this, Sebastian was rethinking his promise to protect me.

"I want to make this clear. I do not take any disobedience lightly. Not from family and even less so from pets," Sebastian announced, the last term cutting into me painfully. I tightened my hands into fists at my sides.

"Pets?" I questioned with a shaky voice.

"Disobedience again," Sebastian responded darkly, "Be silent, Katia."

"Miles was rescued," I ignored him, tensing when he shifted dangerously.

"You only had one task. You risked his life to protect those witches."

"I risked my life to save him."

"And if he hadn't promised to not kill the witches? What would you have don-"

"Then they would have died," I cried out in anguish before pausing to collect myself. I continued quietly, "It was just a request. He didn't promise me anything and I still... even if he swore he would kill them, I would have... no matter what, he was going to get out of there. I just had to try!"

I closed my eyes momentarily, recalling the familiar pull to the witches and the words from Camelia's lips. I held my hands out helplessly in front of me, trembling.

"I was supposed to protect them," I pleaded, feeling lost. I opened my eyes again before pulling my hands back to myself protectively. For a moment, Sebastian didn't respond. I was afraid of even looking at the others, though I could feel eyes on me.

"You have a choice to make," Sebastian stated, his voice low. "You have to decide what you want to be from this point on. If you wish, you can continue to be our pet. You'll be shared between us as you are. We will protect you and you will keep us company. But a pet does not disobey. A pet does as it's told, goes where it's told, and is quiet when told."

It was getting harder to breathe. The harshness of his words was enough to choke me. I could recall Theo's warning. Was I just this? A pet? A toy to be tossed around as seen fit? I braved a look around me, hoping to see any of the others dispute this idea. I was pained as no one spoke up for me nor spared me a glance. I looked at my hands again, knowing there was more to Sebastian's offer.

"And if I choose not to be your pet anymore?"

"That is your choice to make," Sebastian warned, his face emotionless. It was as if everyone within the room had frozen, waiting for my answer. I felt tears beginning to build within my eyes. If I choose not to be a pet, I was choosing to be cast away; to be finished. To live no longer.

"So if I'm to die," I swallowed with difficulty, the aching within my chest only amplifying through my words, "Which of you would kill me?"

"If death is what you choose, Theo will be the one."

There was an abrupt growl of discomfort from Theo. I looked up, tears blurring my sight as I tried to take in Theo's tense form, his jaws clenched with quiet anger. An expression of irritation crossed Sebastian's features as he targeted Theo with a steely look.

"Is that a problem, Theo?" Sebastian asked, his tone low and dangerous.

Theo made a grunt, just barely passing as a no before becoming quiet and lifeless again. He avoided looking at me, but I continued watching him for a moment. I imagined him being the one to take my life. It hurt me just to think about. I couldn't speak further.

"Take time to think about your decision," Sebastian ordered sharply, "But I will want an answer soon. You can go."

For a moment, I couldn't believe a single thing that was happening around me. But within a couple of breaths, my surroundings were undeniable and the cold atmosphere overwhelmed the warm allure that usually called to me. Sebastian wanted me to leave and as evidence by what the others said, or didn't say, they wanted the same.

In agony, I turned and left.

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Music: Conqueror by Aurora (Kartell Remix)
Aurora is amazing <3